We certainly aren't happy with the way CBS News has handled this mess and have informed them of our displeasure. I will make sure your note is placed in the proper hands.

From one in Oklahoma:

Like you, I am distressed with the forged-documents issue involving CBS. I appreciate receiving your feedback- it is helpful to have when I visit with my network affiliate rep about local reaction in my market.

From one in South Carolina (do you notice a lot of these responses are from stations in red states?):

Like you, we're concerned about the authenticity of the documents in question. Obviously, if CBS was duped, they'll have to change the checks and balances that we thought were in place and working along with reporting those facts to their viewers. I've taken the liberty of passing along your comments directly to CBS.

Finally, a station manager at a CBS affiliate in New Mexico speculates to a viewer about Dan Rathers retirement.

Couldn't agree more. I think there will be significant consequences before this is behind us, including the possibility of Dan's retirement. You know, I think he really does care about the truth, the country, etc. But he just let his personal politics cloud his news judgment. It's a lesson for everyone in the news business, and I give you my word that we at [this station] are properly cautioned.

I hope these affiliates are talking to each other, or at least that each one knows he or she is not alone in their anger and disappointment. It now appears that dozens of affiliates are getting a huge reaction from their viewers.

Finally, a station manager at a CBS affiliate in New Mexico speculates to a viewer about Dan Rather's retirement.

Couldn't agree more. I think there will be significant consequences before this is behind us, including the possibility of Dan's retirement. You know, I think he really does care about the truth, the country, etc. But he just let his personal politics cloud his news judgment. It's a lesson for everyone in the news business, and I give you my word that we at [this station] are properly cautioned.

I'm glad you got something positive from a NM station. Politics and MSM bias in NM is terrible. Hopefully, people like Peter Jennings, Katie Couric, et al will change their act too.

Something positive may come out of this before it's all over. Unintended consequences, that are good for Americans!

5
posted on 09/20/2004 1:59:13 PM PDT
by NRA2BFree
(Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.)

You'll undoubtably be shocked to hear that I have not received a reply to the nasty-gram I sent the CBS affiliate here in Los Angeles. They don't care: and frankly, since I never watch Channel 2, why should they?

I didn't receive a response from my local affiliate (Western Michigan) either. But they are the ones we can actually make pay for Rather's venture into tabloid journalism. They depend on local advertisers for revenue, the same people we can tell face to face, we aren't doing business with them.

You must know, however, that we are disgusted by the whole affair. It started with the half-time show of the Super Bowl and continued with the violations of rules of Journalism by Dan Rather. You are getting an abbreviated version of my responses, because frankly, after 130+ personal responses to ALL who have taken time to write, I'm a bit weary. Know that I am in your corner and know that KBTX remains dedicated to improving our operation as a viable, credible, and professionally run organization regardless of CBS plans.

60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY had full confidence in the original report or it would not have aired. However, in the wake of serious and disturbing questions that came up after the broadcast, CBS News has done extensive additional reporting in an effort to confirm the documents' authenticity. Based on what we now know, CBS News cannot prove that the documents are authentic, which is the only acceptable journalistic standard to justify using them in the report. We should not have used them. That was a mistake, which we deeply regret. Nothing is more important to us than our credibility and keeping faith with the millions of people who count on us for fair, accurate, reliable, and independent reporting. We will continue to work tirelessly to be worthy of that trust.

The full press release from CBS News, as well as a statement by Dan Rather can be found on our website at www.cbs46.com.

Thank you for contacting us and sharing your concern about these reports. WGCL has made every effort to respond to all inquiries regarding these reports and we hope you will consider remaining a valuable viewer to WGCL/CBS 46.

WGCL Program Department 404-327-3192

13
posted on 09/20/2004 2:18:54 PM PDT
by Republican Red
(We're going to win one for the gipper...they're going to lose one for the flipper)

60 MINUTES WEDNESDAY had full confidence in the original report or it would not have aired. However, in the wake of serious and disturbing questions that came up after the broadcast, CBS News has done extensive additional reporting in an effort to confirm the documents' authenticity. Based on what we now know, CBS News cannot prove that the documents are authentic, which is the only acceptable journalistic standard to justify using them in the report. We should not have used them. That was a mistake, which we deeply regret. Nothing is more important to us than our credibility and keeping faith with the millions of people who count on us for fair, accurate, reliable, and independent reporting. We will continue to work tirelessly to be worthy of that trust.

The full press release from CBS News, as well as a statement by Dan Rather can be found on our website at www.cbs46.com.

Thank you for contacting us and sharing your concern about these reports. WGCL has made every effort to respond to all inquiries regarding these reports and we hope you will consider remaining a valuable viewer to WGCL/CBS 46.

WGCL Program Department 404-327-3192

14
posted on 09/20/2004 2:19:29 PM PDT
by Republican Red
(We're going to win one for the gipper...they're going to lose one for the flipper)

Thats the way, inform local advertisers of cBS affiliates. My TV no longer accepts inputs from any cBS affiliated stations. Have to cut off the food chain at it's roots. As long as Rathersnot's with The BS. when I do watch national TV news or any TV it won't be them.

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